Once again we have come to the time of year when we have to examine what God's will for our lives is and pray about what He wants us to do for the upcoming school year. There are so many opinions about what to do with our children, whether we should homeschool them or send them to Christian school. For some families, homeschooling is the only way to go and they would never think of doing anything different, and that is fine. For some families, sending them to Christian school is the only way to go and they would never think of doing anything different, and that is fine. For some families, they cannot afford Christian school or maybe they live too far away to even think about traveling every day, and that is fine. What each family chooses is between them and the Lord. Let it be the Lord Who will decide for each family. As long as they are in His will and doing what He wants them to do, that is fine. So, why are there times when I feel unsettled inside? I thought I knew what God wanted for us. Seeing that the children are doing very well at the school they attend is encouraging to me. Am I simply feeling guilty for not doing what I always thought I would be doing, and that is always being home with my children, teaching them and not going outside of the home to work? Titus 2:5 says, "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." What exactly does being a keeper at home mean? If I look at the Proverbs 31 woman, I can get a good idea of what it may mean. She was up late at night tending to the needs of her household, and rose up early. She made sure they had meals, always had clean laundry for them to wear, and supported her husband in everything he did. She worked making clothing for people, and then went out and sold them. She went out to look at land and bought it. Yet through all this, she still had her priorities straight. She knew her home was her domain and that her main focus was her husband. She did what she could to keep it that way. She knew the husband had his job in the home and that was to protect his family and provide for them, but she also knew she had her job in the home and that was to be the glue for her family. She was the one that kept it running smoothly, pulling the family together. It does not matter what everyone else is doing around me. He has a special plan for my life that is different than anybody elses. God has made each individual differently, giving different personalities to each and every one, molding us to be separate persons so we can make up a unique tapestry of colors in this world. If everyone was the same, it would be a very boring world to be sure. We would know what everyone was thinking and what they were going to do, and there would be no variety in life. The same goes with families. If every family was molded the same, we would all be like robots, mechanically doing what everyone expects. So, the truth is, God has a plan for each and every family. God has a plan for each and every child in that family and knows what is best for them. He knows what they need in order to raise them up to be Who He created them to be. All I need to know is what His will is for me and once I know and have that peace in my heart, I can rest in the fact that Father knows best. As long as I am putting my priorities straight, God first, then my husband, then children, then my home, and then everything else, I will remain the glue for my family that will help pull us together. If the heart of my husband can safely trust in me no matter where I am and what I am doing, then I can rest in the fact that I am doing God's will. That is the safest place to be - in the will of God.

I love this one. We go to a church where everyone homeschools..except one other family with 1 boy. Many times I feel on the outside, or even like I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing by working outside the home AND (the most shocking) sending my kids to secular school! Nick and I have had to trust God's leading on this so many times and that He will continue to lead us in the future! I love the analogy about being the glue!